“It’s a little different look, but I think we have people that bring what we need to take the next step, really,” Murray said of the moves made following the opening of free agency Sunday.

The biggest splash was the trade for Methot from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Foligno. While Foligno had a solid 2011-12 season, scoring 15 goals and 32 assists, inconsistency kept him from securing a full-time spot on the Senators top two lines ever since being the club’s first round draft selection (28th overall) in 2006. The Senators were also facing the prospect of a difficult summer of negotiations with Foligno, who became a restricted free agent on Sunday.

Methot, meanwhile, answered the need for a top-four defenceman due to the departure of Kuba to free agency. Kuba, who served as a playing partner for Erik Karlsson last season, signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Florida Panthers.

Methot, 27, could now serve as Karlsson’s partner. He definitely fits the bill as a stay at home defenceman, an Ottawa native who cares more about preventing goals than scoring them. He also comes with a better price tag than Kuba, making $3 million in each of the next three seasons.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity, an absolute thrill for me and my family,” said Methot, who averaged 20:03 of ice time with Columbus last season, scoring one goal and six assists in a season shortened to 46 games due to a groin injury. In 275 career games with Columbus, Methot has scored seven goals and 44 assists.

“I’ve never been traded before, but in this particular case, I’m so excited. I grew up in the city and it’s a hockey town and there’s a great hockey team here. My family is pretty pumped about it, too.”

Murray says “Foligno was a good man for us”, but the organization is brimming with young talented forwards pushing to play in the big leagues. He says the deal came about because Columbus asked if Foligno was available and the Senators were naturally looking for defence to fill their own void.

“(Methot) is a big guy, a mobile guy, he plays real well defensively and there’s a price to be paid when you have to (add) that,” he said. “He has size (6-3 and 225 pounds) and strength. He’s a real steady guy who is under contract for three years.”

Lundin and Latendresse, meanwhile, are looking to re-establish themselves as quality NHL players. Both saw limited action in 2011-12 due to injuries and were content to sign one-year deals as unrestricted free agents. Lundin will make $1.15 million and Latendresse $1.25 million next season.

“It’s going to be a new, fresh start,” said Latendresse, who, at 6-2, 230 pounds, has always carried the promise of being a hard to defend power forward. “If I look at top six (forwards), I think that could be a good spot for me. I’m not the coach, so maybe you can ask him, but I think I’m an offensive guy and I can bring that (scoring) for sure.”

Latendresse, 25, burst into the NHL as a shining star with the Montreal Canadiens after being selected in the second round (45th overall) in 2006, but had a tough time living up to the expectations of being a French-Canadian star in Montreal. In the past two seasons with Minnesota Wild, he has been limited to only 27 games — scoring eight goals and seven assists — due to hip surgery and concussion issues.

“I know what kind of player I am,” he said. “I know what I can bring to a team. I think Ottawa is a really good fit for me. As far as my injuries go, I’m 100 per cent now. I know I can be the player I was when I first went to Minnesota. I can bring a lot to this team.”

Lundin, 27, who also comes from Minnesota, dealt with back and hernia issues in 2011-12, registering two assists in 17 games. He played 69 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010-11 and that body of work impressed the Senators. Murray says Lundin is a “transition” type of defenceman, a good skater who can move the puck quickly.

“I’m more of a defensive specialist, I’m not real flashy,” he said.

Like Latendresse, he believes his injuries are behind him. He had hernia surgery on March 15.

“I’m thrilled, it wasn’t one of the the greatest year for me last year with injuries and everything,” he said.

“I’m excited to come and play for a Canadian team, with the potential they have following last season and only looking to get better.”

Murray doesn’t anticipate making any more moves in the near future – at this point, he says, there’s no room to re-sign unrestricted free agent Jesse Winchester – and he says he still doesn’t know when captain Daniel Alfredsson will decide whether he’s returning or retiring.

The Senators general manager acknowledges the team has lost a bit of punch due to the loss of Carkner and Konopka, but he’s hoping Methot will be able to make up for some of it. He also sent a message to Zack Smith, saying the Senators need Smith to be more physical.

Considering the money that Carkner, Konopka and Kuba received on the open market, Murray says there was no way the team could match, without going over their internal budget.

While Kuba’s two-year, $8 million deal with Florida was somewhat expected, the money given to Carkner and Konopka was staggering.

Carkner received a three-year, $4.5 million deal with the New York Islanders, but not without some controversy. Before signing with the Islanders, the Colorado Avalanche announced they had signed him to a two-year deal. The Senators were only prepared to offer Carkner a one-year contract.

Konopka received a two-year, $1.9 million contract with Minnesota. The Senators, overloaded with depth forwards, didn’t bother talking to Konopka or his agents following the season.

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